Cheats & Secrets

Cheats & Secrets Guide for Microsoft Flight Simulator

Overview

Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020 edition) is a highly realistic simulation game developed by Asobo Studio and published by Xbox Game Studios. As a simulation rather than an arcade game, it does not include traditional cheat codes (like invincibility, infinite fuel, or instant level-ups). However, the developers have embedded a variety of hidden features, Easter eggs, and a powerful Developer Mode that allows players to bend reality in ways that feel like cheats. This guide covers all legitimate secrets, hidden content, and developer-intended exploits that enhance the experience without breaking the simulation's integrity.

---

Developer Mode & Debug Tools (the "Cheat Engine" of MSFS)

The Developer Mode is a built-in, officially supported set of debugging and testing tools intended for content creators and advanced users. It can be used to manipulate weather, time, location, aircraft state, and more—effectively acting as a cheat menu.

#### Enabling Developer Mode
1. Launch the game and go to Options > General > Developer Mode.
2. Set the toggle to On (you may need to restart the sim).
3. Access Developer Mode via the top toolbar (hammer icon) or the menu bar (Alt+` on keyboard).

#### Useful "Cheat-Like" Features

• Weather & Time: Instantly change weather conditions, time of day, season, and cloud coverage—perfect for skipping storms or practicing VFR in clear skies.


• Teleport to Location: Use the "Go to Airport" or "Go to Position" tools to instantly jump to any airport, runway, or geographic coordinate.


• Fuel & Damage Override: Set fuel levels to maximum, repair all systems, or disable failures in the Systems Watch panel.


• Reset Simulation: Reset the flight to its initial state at any time (undo crashes, wrong taxi, etc.).


• Command Console: Press Ctrl+Shift+Z (or via menu) to open a Lua console where you can execute custom scripts—though these require programming knowledge.


> Warning: Overusing Developer Mode may break immersion or cause unexpected behavior. It is recommended for testing or learning, not for regular gameplay.

---



Hidden Easter Eggs & Secrets



#### 1. The "Asobo Studio" Office at Bordeaux

• Location: Latitude 44.8378, Longitude -0.5776 near Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (LFBD).


• What to see: A highly detailed 3D model of the Asobo Studio building, complete with company logo, parked cars, and even a small aircraft on the roof. It is not visible on default Bing maps; it is a custom scenery object added by the developers.


• How to find: Fly low over the industrial park south of LFBD airport—look for a building with a curved glass front and large "Asobo Studio" sign.


#### 2. The "Area 51" UFO & Military Base

• Location: Latitude 37.239, Longitude -115.815 (Homey Airport – Area 51).


• What to see: A highly detailed representation of the real-world Nellis Range complex, including runways, hangars, airstrips, and—if you look closely near the dry lake bed—a small gray UFO (unidentified flying object) model. It is a static Easter egg, not a moving object.


• How to find: Take off from Tonopah Test Range Airport (KTNX) or fly directly to the coordinates. Use low altitude and slow speed; the UFO sits on the ground near a building.


#### 3. The "Wright Flyer" & Historical Aircraft

• What: As part of the 1903 Wright Flyer add-on (free in the Deluxe Premium versions, or purchasable), you can fly this landmark aircraft. It includes a hidden “Flight Assist” mode that auto-flies the Flyer, revealing the developer's love for history.


• Secret liveries: Some aircraft (like the Cessna 152 or Boeing 747) have hidden liveries that depict fictional airlines like "FlightSim Expo 2020" or "Pan Am Retro"—unlocked by completing certain Bush Trips or challenges.


#### 4. The "Devil's Tower" and "Mount Rushmore" Enhancements

• Both of these US landmarks are hand-crafted with exceptional detail, but there is a hidden secret chamber at Mount Rushmore modeled after the real-life Hall of Records. You can fly into the slot behind Lincoln's head—no special trigger, just a fun secret.


• At Devil's Tower (Wyoming), if you fly extremely close to the column, you may spot a small, barely visible alien symbol carved near the base—a nod to the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind.


#### 5. The "Balloon Flight" Easter Egg

• What: In the New York City area (near Central Park), a giant inflatable balloon shaped like a cartoon character sometimes appears during certain weather conditions (especially at night). It is a static model added for fun.


• How to find: Fly over Central Park at night when winds are calm. The balloon is located near the northeast corner of the park. Look for a brightly colored spherical object with a face.

---

Secret Aircraft & Liveries

> Note: Hidden liveries (e.g., "Ed Force One" for the 747, or "Downey Jr." for the Cessna 172) exist in the game files but are not normally selectable. To use them, you must create a custom profile or edit config files (advanced only).

---

Secret Locations & Points of Interest

• Fictional Airport "Saint Exupéry": In the airport search menu, type "Saint Exupéry" and you'll find a tiny airstrip in the middle of the South Pacific. It is a tribute to the author/pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The runway is extremely short (500m) and surrounded by water—a challenge for bush pilots.


• The "Lost Island": Off the coast of Hawaii (near N22°, W159°) there is a small island with a single runway and a hangar that is not on official charts. It appears only when the "Handcrafted Scenery" detail level is set to Ultra.


• Famous Movie Locations: The "Indiana Jones Canyon" (Monument Valley area) has a small hidden temple model; it's near the entrance to the valley. Also, the "Star Wars" Tatooine dunes can be found in the Rub' al Khali desert—though it's a natural terrain feature, not an Easter egg.


---



Community-Discovered Secrets & Exploits



#### The "Infinite Fuel" Exploit (Developer Mode)

• Method: In Developer Mode, open the Systems Watch panel, select Fuel for your aircraft, and set the left and right tanks to 100% repeatedly. This works even mid-flight.


• Limitation: Does not work in career-like challenges or online live weather; only in free flight with developer tools enabled.


#### Skipping Pre-Flight Checks

• Cheat: In the cockpit, press Ctrl+Shift+E to auto-start the engine without going through the checklist. This is a legitimate keyboard shortcut for all aircraft.


• Note: Not a secret; it is documented in official keyboard reference.


#### Flying Through the "Tornado" (Weather Exploit)

• What: Setting the weather to "Severe Storm" and flying directly into the eye of a generated tornado can cause extreme but safe turbulence—no damage occurs unless you hit a building. It's a fun way to test aircraft handling.

---

Conclusion

While Microsoft Flight Simulator lacks typical cheat codes, it compensates with a robust Developer Mode that serves as a sandbox for experimentation. The hidden Easter eggs (Area 51 UFO, Asobo Studio, secret chamber at Mount Rushmore) add personality and joy to exploration. For players seeking the absolute simulation experience, these secrets are harmless enhancements that celebrate aviation history and pop culture. Remember to always fly safely—even when cheating the weather!

---

Last updated: 2025-09-09. Secrets may be added or removed with updates; check the official forums and community Discord for the latest findings.